Strain: Rebel's Rise

Brothers In Arms

Tuesday, 6:45 PM. February 10th.

"YO?! YOU BOYS BACK ALREADY?!"

Manny smiled with his eyes wide, Zane and Dustin coming to his bed hugging him tightly. His scars fully healed, and how much bigger he looked as well.

"Boy, you scared us. Keke told us everything. Everything."

Keyan was leaning on the door to Manny's bedroom, his arms crossed. He rolled his eyes.

"Told y'all to stop calling me that. We're not in the 3rd grade anymore!"

Dustin chuckled and playfully punched on Manny. Zane kneeled down and patted his shoulders.

"We're happy to see you're good, big bro. Frankly.. I didn't even think your regeneration powers would be this strong, could've sworn you told us they weren't all that. Heard you had a big ass scar on the whole right side of your face, I don't see shit-."

Manny shrugged, smiling away happily. He hadn't seen these two in days, well for Zane it's been weeks. All of them, except Keyan, grew up in the lowest parts of Frontline, but Dustin always inspired Manny. He was big, fast, always pushing to the next goal no matter what and no matter how hurt, which he had never shown before. Could turn into any animal he wanted to, even shape them into different ones. Brought a new meaning to the word 'Catfish'. He was really good at his job too, helping the community take cover in hostile situations thanks to villains. Manny admired that a lot, and wanted to follow in his footsteps. He wanted to be a hero.

"So..is your Xenergy all coming back? Don't feel like a sack of shit?"

Dustin asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Man who even named it that.. shit sounds weird. But yeah, I've got my strength back. Feel back to normal. Only took me a week." Manny sarcastically said. Manny looked over at Keyan, who was staring down, lost in his thoughts.

"...Yo, you good Keyan? You look down."

Keyan was frozen for a minute before he shook his head no. He looked up at his brothers with a dark look on his face.

"... I'm gonna hunt Herbie down."

The boys went silent, Zane stood up and walked over to Keyan.

"Bro what the fu-"

"Don't try to talk me out of it. Manny does stupid shit sometimes. A Lot even,"

Manny growled and crossed his arms, Dustin chuckled.

"But he was not a threat. He had to have chased him for some reason. He even tried killing me. If it hadn't been for my powers, I'd be crispy right now.."

Keyan clenched his fist and the air around the boys got cooler.

"He's got to pay. Rich spoiled prick thinks he can hurt my family? And get away with it?! He didn't even have a reason!"

Keyan slammed his fist on the wall.

Manny sighed and closed his eyes.

"Actually, Keyan. He did have a reason."

Back at the party..

"Yo chill, I just, i was trying to-"

Herbie's mouth exhaled flames as he furiously spoke, "Nah, nah, trying to see what type of drugs we had? The kind you can't handle. You've seen too much. You got to go. Ain't that right y'all?" His boys chanted in unison, agreeing with their supposed leader. 

Manny looked at Ash again, who had a cup in her hand sipping it. In Front of her and a few other kids, laid out a few purple glowing pills. They all laughed at Manny's obvious panic. He got up and ran out.